301k in debt and morbidly obese - things aren't great!

miggy

The list sounds excellent Mr B. Print out a copy and put it somewhere where you can remind yourself, perhaps, as it's long and there may be days when you need to refocus.

Re: the writing style: I know when I was a teenager I would have loved to have read your style of writing (I haven't outgrown that, then) so maybe there's a market there which you could exploit?

Poohwombat

Hi Mr B

You have every sympathy from me - I also work in education (on the admin side) and my place has been through 'review' after 'review' (i.e. let's get rid of some staff) every year since 2007.

I don't know if your place will run the same system but at mine they start with a 'Consultation Period' which is usually about a month where the staff loss proposals are opened up for all staff to comment on (I presume you may not be the only person affected?), this is following by the outcome decision and then the organisation has to make sure there are no other jobs they can offer you within the organisation. Then the notice period starts.

My place, like yours by the sound of it, only pay out the statutory redundancy - that's 1.5 weeks pay for every full year worked for people age over 41. Plus you will be eligible to be paid for any outstanding holiday entitlement of course.

I'm sure you've probably already looked at the Direct Gov website pages on Consultation Periods and Redundancy? I was hoping to post the links here but unfortunately as a new person on here the system won't let me. Anyway, you'll soon find your way around the site if you haven't done so already.

I hope it will encourage you to know that of all the staff I have seen leave my place this year - all of them have found other jobs (in most cases which they say are better than their previous one) except for one lady who has signed up for a University Course, so there is hope out there!

Your plan of action sounds excellent - keeping positive seems to be the key to moving on and getting that next post in the bag.

ANewBeginning

Wednesday must have been a busy day for the hatchet. I too heard that my post is likely to be deleted in the latest of God knows how many restructures since Cameron and his bully boys started running the country.

First reaction was panic - how on earth are we going to survive? We have only ever been a double income family for the last 3 years. It feels like 1 step forward, 2 steps back. Our financial situation is very different from the ladnscape 4 years ago. We now have a car loan, plus our snowball to pay our credit cards etc is in serious jeopardy of melting, with a bleak nuclear winter ahead.

Second reaction was surprisingly rational. If this happens, it will be in April. That gives me 6 months to find something else. I have always fancied setting myself up as a consultant (I have shed loads of experience and qualifications, including training quals) so maybe that's also an option. Also I will walk with a relatively small redundancy payment so that buys us a little more time (6 months is we are VERY frugal).

Third reaction is sadness. I have given the best years of my life to local government. Have had a glowing and diverse career. Working my way up through the ranks, to be a head of a department. (I like to think and have been told that I have a good name and think I am fairly well respected, so hopefully that will extra credit on the job seeking front) But Mr Cameron takes no prisoners and prefers to hit the middle and lower ranks, in favour of protecting the high earners who he sees has his electorate and hopes will safeguard his position as PM in the next election. I have seen so many good people go in the last 18 months. It is really quite sad. Not just for me but for all those good people who suffer the same fate.....

Good luck Mr B. You have the right attitude. Something will turn up. Often better than what you had before. By the way, we could start a mutual support group. Mentoring and coaching for potential redundancy candidates? xx

ANewBeginning

well that killed the conversation eh? ha ha

sweetpea26

Hi Mr Bloater, I creep out of 'lurkdum' to wish you well. I find all these redundancies very sad. People have given so much of their lives and worked so hard, are now just treated with total disrespect. Remember folks who not to vote for in the next election. By then the maniacs will have done so much damage, it will take years to correct.

Keep going you are doing well and something always good happens when things look so hopeless.

EJG1982

Hey Mr Bloater, i just wanna give you a BIG :kisses3: and HUG cos your just FAB!!!

thread title dragged me in like a sale in a sweet shop, first few posts i couldn't stop smiling, and if there was a High 5 buddy 'smilie' you had not one but at least 2 jumping round the screen.. i'll use this instead but you get the point :j:j

Love love love your humour, its very me. Attitude towards yourself and the money.. very inspirational and best way to be

now i must admit, i havent read the full story but oh my days when i thought about posting, i skipped along to last page and felt like someone had ruined the end a film for me..full on scroll down like a mad women and dont look situation :eek:

I shall get up to speed ready for next installments.. my friend i am well and truly subscribed :j < <there it is again

Legend. :beer:

barrowc

Poohwombat wrote: »

Hi Mr B
My place, like yours by the sound of it, only pay out the statutory redundancy - that's 1.5 weeks pay for every full year worked for people age over 41.

Full details of statutory redundancy as follows:

* 0.5 weeks pay for each full year of service where your age was under 22
* 1 weeks pay for each full year of service where your age was 22 or above, but under 41
* 1.5 weeks pay for each full year of service where your age was 41 or above

The most you can claim for is 20 years service and it's capped at £430 per week.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/redundancy.dsb

MrBloater

Am now also reeling from the news that my PPI claim was refused - wish I hadn't gone down the DIY route on it now - feel like I'm lost some money I would have got had I gone to the experts on it. Work is remaining a minefield and some days I dodge bullets and other times I get hit but the fact is they are being consistently aimed at me. Weight has been staying the same but the running has stopped and I am resorting to wine tonight cos I'm only human after all.

PinotGrigio41

MrBloater wrote: »

Am now also reeling from the news that my PPI claim was refused - wish I hadn't gone down the DIY route on it now - feel like I'm lost some money I would have got had I gone to the experts on it. Work is remaining a minefield and some days I dodge bullets and other times I get hit but the fact is they are being consistently aimed at me. Weight has been staying the same but the running has stopped and I am resorting to wine tonight cos I'm only human after all.

Mr Bloater,

I have been a long time lurker, but never a poster on your diary. I am currently catching up having been AWOL for a while on your news.

So sorry to hear about the PPI claim, I too went down the DIY route, I did get one refunded but the other two have been refused. I am unsure though if I would have had any more success had I used a Company though.

Keep going , it sounds to me as though the wine is well deserved tonight, s*d the running !

I think I may just join you in a small tipple !!!

Igamogam

MrBloater wrote: »

Am now also reeling from the news that my PPI claim was refused - wish I hadn't gone down the DIY route on it now - feel like I'm lost some money I would have got had I gone to the experts on it. Work is remaining a minefield and some days I dodge bullets and other times I get hit but the fact is they are being consistently aimed at me. Weight has been staying the same but the running has stopped and I am resorting to wine tonight cos I'm only human after all.

Escalate your claim